Can you use outdated review books?

[han14tra]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi,

I got a free copy of BRS Pharm 4th edition. The bookstore has the 5th edition for $40. Should I buy the 5th edition?

4th edition- 2007
5th edition- 2009
Lippincott's Pharm (newest edition)- 2008 but $60 and not organized in the way I learned Pharm in class so I think I'll stick with BRS. I also love the BRS practice questions!!

 

[han14tra]

Does the USMLE test the basic drugs that have been around for awhile like Lithium and beta blockers or will it test me on some super new chemotherapeutic drug that just came out 2 years ago?

I'm really hoping this 4th edition 2007 book will be ok? Please answer

 

[b-real]

Does the USMLE test the basic drugs that have been around for awhile like Lithium and beta blockers or will it test me on some super new chemotherapeutic drug that just came out 2 years ago?

I'm really hoping this 4th edition 2007 book will be ok? Please answer

You'll be fine with the 2007 book. Remember that these questions are standardized, and to be statistically valid, they take years of analysis on prior exams before they enter the graded pool. I've been told by people who actually submit questions to the NBME that there is 3-5 year lag between submission and live scoring. The stuff you'll be tested on are usually established procedures, techniques and meds. New stuff will be a couple of years away.

 

[kaioukenx]

In general, these review books are notorious for roping in students with "new and improved" regular updates that are very rarely significant in any way. Often it's formatting, some new pictures, new fonts, new cover, etc. So if you're asking about content, I doubt it makes even 1% difference.

If you are really neurotic, then just borrow someone else's book and write down anything new that you think is important.

 

[MossPoh]

Between any review book, first aid, class and a question bank, there are very few things you can miss out on. Some may not be emphasized, but your career does not rest on the knowledge of one obscure new drug. 😉

 

[ArcGurren]

You'll be fine with the 2007 book. Remember that these questions are standardized, and to be statistically valid, they take years of analysis on prior exams before they enter the graded pool. I've been told by people who actually submit questions to the NBME that there is 3-5 year lag between submission and live scoring. The stuff you'll be tested on are usually established procedures, techniques and meds. New stuff will be a couple of years away.

This is not entirely true. Some of the new medications are fair game especially if they test tricky or novel concepts (Omalizumab comes to mind).

 

[ArcGurren]

You should be okay with older review books in certain fields. I'm using a 4 year old Kaplan Anatomy book... Anatomy doesn't really change by the year so it's a pretty safe bet...

 

[MedicalBeast]

give yourself the peace of mind and just buy the newest edition. then you can focus on studying and not worrying that your book is outdated.

 

[ArcGurren]

give yourself the peace of mind and just buy the newest edition. then you can focus on studying and not worrying that your book is outdated.

I don't think it's unreasonable to buy older versions if they work. The likelihood that they've added something new and high yield is very rare and you can usually look up the additions on the internet anyway.

 

[Bartelby]

Something like First Aid that will be the core of your study plan is probably worth buying new, but for a BRS pharm book I don't think much will change in three or four years.

 

[b-real]

This is not entirely true. Some of the new medications are fair game especially if they test tricky or novel concepts (Omalizumab comes to mind).

Omalizumab has been around for 8 years, and the concept behind it has been known for at least 20.

 

[ArcGurren]

Omalizumab has been around for 8 years, and the concept behind it has been known for at least 20.

I'm referring to the fact that they added a UW question for it

 

[Untraditional]

If I can make this thread just a bit more general, books seem to keep the same content from year to year unless there's been a huge development in a field. (Like personalized medicine using genomics advances) Other than that only the figures and layout change.

Take a look at a few editions and find one that suits your style. I'm really visual so I eschew anything that is a wall of text. Sometimes the old figures are better. For a pedantic example, my school uses Grants Dissector. The newest edition is simply garbage. Go for the much better illustrated 10th ed for the win (not that I am saying ANYONE should ever waste money on a dissector, I'm just trying to make the point that some books change for the worse)